In 1967 McLaren's chief designer Robin Herd was given the task of producing new cars for Can-Am and Formula One and Formula Two.

The Formula 2 car, designated M4A was simple bathtub type monocoque. One of these cars was built at the McLaren factory for New Zealander Graeme Lawrence who campaigned it successfully in Europe for a season and then for many years after, in New Zealand. This car is currently under going full restoration in New Zealand by the present owner, Trust member Peter Herbert.

Other notable drivers who raced McLaren M4As in New Zealand after 1967, were Jim Palmer, Ross Calgher, and Piers Courage.

M4A 1967

In 1967 Robin Herd produced three major design: Can-Am, Formula 1 and Formula 2. The M4A was a simple monocoque for Formula 2 and raced by Bruce seven times. Some chassis appeared in Formula 3 guise. Piers Courage raced an M4A in the 1968 Tasman Series and gave the M4A its only major victory, it did however prove very popular and won many races in New Zealand.

Chassis: Bathtub monocoque formed from aluminium paneling bonded and riveted to four mild steel bulkheads

The M4B was the production variant of the Formula 2 design using the Lotus-Ford twincam engines and Hewland HD transaxles for the American Formula B racing. Another so-called M4B, the subject of this specification, was the interim 1967 Formula 1 car raced by Bruce McLaren. This was a stop gap measure between the demise of the M2B and the appearance of the new BRM-powered M5. The car was also fitted with side sponson to provide extra tankage. Trojan built 25 M4A/B cars in 1967-1968.

Chassis: Bathtub monocoque formed from aluminium panelling bonded and riveted to four mild steel bulkheads